Giuseppe Bonavia


Giuseppe Bonavia was a Maltese draughtsman and architect who was mainly active in the second half of the 19th century. Born in Valletta, he was initially a clerk of works with the Royal Engineers, before becoming the Head of the Civil Service Works Department.
Bonavia designed in a variety of styles, including Gothic Revival and Neoclassical architecture. His signature buildings were those of the 1850s and 1860s. His St. Andrew's [Scots Church, Malta|St. Andrew's Scots Church] was the first Gothic church to be built in Malta, while his masterpiece is La Borsa, which was built in 1857.
Buildings designed by Bonavia include:
Bonavia also made plans for the proposed Royal [Opera House, Valletta|Royal Opera House] in 1859, but eventually the building was constructed to designs of the English architect Edward Middleton Barry. The Dragonara Palace in St. Julian's is sometimes also attributed to Bonavia.